Waratahs stay alive with bonus point loss to Blues

Auckland’s Blues finished their Super Rugby season on a positive by beating the Waratahs 34-28 at Eden Park in the final round.

The Waratahs earned a losing bonus point from the match and move above the Brumbies who have a game in hand against the Force at home in Canberra.

The Waratahs now lead the Australian Super Rugby Conference and the pressure is on the Brumbies to earn one point or more from their match against the Force.

The result means that for the first time in Super Rugby History Australian sides will finish the regular season without a win in New Zealand. The record stands at 0 wins from 12 matches across the Tasman.

The result means the Blues, who are rebuilding under coach Tana Umaga, have won 14 of their last 16 matches against Australian Super Rugby sides at Eden Park.

The Blues also defeated the Brumbies last week, meaning the bottom placed New Zealand side has defeated the top two Australian sides in the past fortnight.

The Blues were already out of contention for the play offs but will look at the 2016 season as a major step forward as they finish the season with 8 wins from 15 matches. In comparison the Blues won three matches from 15 in 2015.

The Blues eight wins makes 2016 their best season since 2011 when they won 11 matches from 18 played. The Waratahs currently have 8 wins from 15 matches.

The Waratahs were outscored five tries to four as the Blues staunchly defended their lead, bouncing back whenever the Sydneysiders looked like reeling them in.

On average every time the Waratahs scored a try within three minutes the Blues responded by scoring a try of their own.

The Australian conference winner will make the playoffs but the season will be over for the runner-up, with final placings decided when the Brumbies play the Western Force on Saturday.

The loss means the Waratah’s, the 2014 champions, need the Force to spring a massive upset against the Brumbies.

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